Department of Health

Health Informal Council: 24-25 September 2015

Lord Prior of Brampton: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State. Department of Health (Jane Ellison) has made the following written ministerial statement. An Informal Health Council meeting was held in Luxembourg on 24-25 September 2015 as part of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council formation. The UK was represented by a senior official. Among the issues discussed were prevention, removing stigma, early diagnosis and investment in research. The UK’s work on dementia was recognised and there was agreement on the need for further work following the World Health Organisation (WHO) conference that was held earlier in the year in March. Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs)A variety of views were expressed about whether regulation or a voluntary approach should be taken towards trans fatty acids (TFAs). Most Member States would await an upcoming Commission report on TFAs before taking a firm view. The UK outlined its national voluntary action to reduce TFAs and the importance of an evidence based approach. The Commissioner said that they were in the process of finalising the report and that it would be presented in December. MigrationThe UK outlined work it is undertaking with Syrian refugees in countries bordering Syria, called for a comprehensive approach to the crisis, and referred to the work of the Health Security Committee. The Commission called for solidarity and outlined the extra funding that had been allocated as well as a letter that had been sent to all Ministers on this issue. European Semester A vast majority of Member States argued strongly against the involvement of the European Semester in healthcare. The UK welcomed the recent narrower focus of the semester and called for it to concentrate on sustainability and cost effectiveness. The UK also called for Health Ministers to be more involved in the Social Protection Committee process on matters relating to healthcare. Cross Border DirectiveMost Member States were positive about progress that has been made on the Cross-Border Directive, with a number suggesting that patients should be better informed about their rights. The UK welcomed the Commission’s report on the operation of the Directive but added that, whilst the principles of the Directive are sound, more needs to be done at EU level to clarify and simplify the interaction of this new legislation with existing patient mobility rules (the EU Social Security Coordination Regulations). 


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
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Department for Communities and Local Government

Oral Question on Housing in London -  26 October 2015 (Col 970)

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Following the Oral Question on the 26 October 2015, “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to address the shortage of housing in London”, asked by Lord Kennedy of Southwark, I would like to clarify a statement that I made in response to a follow up question from Baroness Hussein-Ece.In response to the noble Lady’s question on the Right to Buy, I would like to clarify that under the voluntary agreement with the National Housing Federation, there will be a presumption that housing association tenants will have the right to purchase their home at Right to Buy level discounts, but associations will not be obliged to sell particular properties where there are reasons why this would not be in the interests of their operations.This would also include housing associations exercising discretion over the sale of properties provided through charitable or public-benefit resources or bequeathed for charitable or public-benefit purposes, and in the possession of the housing association before it became registered under the Housing Act 1974 (or later equivalent legislation).There will be an additional new affordable home for every home sold under the Reinvigorated Right to Buy.